This Blog is my ode to music. To my dear, dear friend, whom without, I would be up a damn creek. The moment I wrote a song, my path was forever altered. I finally had power over my own life. The words that had been swarming my soul, trapped, finally had an escape, and the voice I had spent years cultivating was no longer a slave to broadway tunes, but now, the liberator of my heart and mind. It finally all made sense. I had spent years working my booty off to fit into the box of musical theatre, only so that I could break out on my own. Don’t get me wrong, I still love a broadway tune, and would jump at the chance to play certain roles Cough* Eponine* COUGH, however, upon writing my songs, I understood that the world is my oyster and writing music is pearl. Corny, but true.
I know that music will not hurt me. Though there are many things I take personally when they don’t go my way, I will always hold true to the songs I’ve written and will continue to write, because they have meant something to ME. No matter how someone else feels about them, no matter if there’s one person or one hundred or maybe one day, thousands of people at my concert, I am singing songs that make me smile, weep, laugh and cry, and sometimes that’s just during the chorus. And that’s the thing about art and, life in general: people can take literally everything away from you with one lousy opinion, but really, all that matters is your opinion of yourself and your work. Does your work have meaning to YOU? Does it make you feel beyond measure? If your answer is yes, then keep going, because chances are it will mean a great deal to someone else soon, too. And after you get people to feel something, it’s only a matter of time until they can no longer keep the door to success closed--their emotions, or at least, the emotions of the populous, will force them to let you in. This is a pep talk to myself and and an ode to music, my friend that made me feel so deeply, that for once, the opinions of others couldn’t break me, because it makes me feel so good about myself. Music is my safety, my soulmate, and without it, the world would be devoid of color.
Which brings me to some great black and white pictures that were taken at my last show at Bar Lubitsch. Check them out below and see a visual representation of my joy. Whatever you do, whoever you are, I encourage you to find something you love so much, that it protects you from the opinions of others and saves your soul from despair. You deserve it, we all do. God bless you and have a wonderful day on your journey to meaning. Thanks for checking out my blog!
Love,
LoLo :-)
Monday, October 20, 2014
Friday, September 12, 2014
We Are Detroit
Hello. My Name is Lauren LoGrasso. I grew up in the suburbs of Detroit. As a kid I felt disconnected from the city, but now, in my adulthood, and ironically, after moving across the country, I feel I finally understand. I feel I am finally connected to the city. I am ride or die for Detroit. Why? Because I am Detroit. So are you. I’ll explain further in a bit, but first let me state some background: I live in Los Angeles and get to travel a lot for work, and I seem to come across a lot of people, with a lot of opinions about a place they have never visited. I am constantly being put in a position to defend Detroit. Usually I can handle it well, and move with grace, but I do get really upset when people relentlessly say bad things against Detroit like they have some sort of personal beef with the city. Somehow Detroit has become America's punching bag. I'm not naive. I understand that the city is not in a great place and that a lot of changes need to be made, but I see and feel great hope: a hope that I’m not sure you can fully understand until you visit.
What really inspired me to start writing on the subject was when I saw what Fox in Tampa Bay wrote about the David Price trade to the Tigers last month. It made me burn. I felt personally attacked. I think I am finally starting to understand why I feel this way when I see Detroit relentlessly criticized. I know why hearing people constantly shit all over a city that is already down over and over and over again is eating me alive. For one thing: If Detroit had a dollar for every time someone complained about or belittled it, we would never have gone bankrupt. So my first thought is, why not do something about it? If you think Detroit is terrible and you are that concerned with the way it looks, and the way people who reside there are living, then get off your ass and make a change. That’s my first thought.
My second thought, that I mentioned earlier, is that I am Detroit and so are you. What I mean is: we all run the risk of making a few bad judgments, trusting one too many bad people who promise they will help, and, therefore, falling down a slippery slope. None of us are so powerful that we are invulnerable to demise, and, with that said, none of us are so ravaged that we are beyond repair. There is a little Detroit in all of us. It’s also the city that raised my parents, who raised me…So when you say something disparaging about it, it almost feels like you’re insulting my ailing grandmother, who has a great chance for recovery, who you've also never met.
Which brings me to my third thought: most people who have BIG, HUGE opinions on Detroit have either 1) Never been there or 2) Never lived there/in the surrounding areas. Now if you've lived there and have a bad opinion of it, fine, that’s your experience, feel free to share. But to me, the way people talk about the city is like saying, “I’ve never tried ice cream, but I’m pretty sure every flavor is terrible, and the ice cream industry, as a whole, is going down hill.” I understand that wasn't the best comparison, but stick with me… YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO HAVE AN OPINION ABOUT SOMETHING, SOMEONE OR SOMEWHERE YOU HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED. Period.
So STFU, Haters... Back to writing like an adult: you can’t have an opinion about the city if you've never been there, and you CERTAINLY cannot say that the whole city is done for. Have you been to the DIA, Tigers Stadium, Slows Barbecue, Campus Martius, basically all of Midtown, Eastern Market, Corktown and Greektown, just to name a few? No, I’ll bet you haven’t. Have you seen or heard the incredible art that is being created in the city? No, again, right? How about all of the delicious restaurants and innovative business that are cropping up all over town? I guess it's probably safe to go with a final, no. Clearly it’s more fun for you to focus on ruin porn and abandoned houses. Please bear in mind, little, if any, good has ever come on focusing on destruction.
Which brings me to my third thought: most people who have BIG, HUGE opinions on Detroit have either 1) Never been there or 2) Never lived there/in the surrounding areas. Now if you've lived there and have a bad opinion of it, fine, that’s your experience, feel free to share. But to me, the way people talk about the city is like saying, “I’ve never tried ice cream, but I’m pretty sure every flavor is terrible, and the ice cream industry, as a whole, is going down hill.” I understand that wasn't the best comparison, but stick with me… YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO HAVE AN OPINION ABOUT SOMETHING, SOMEONE OR SOMEWHERE YOU HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED. Period.
So STFU, Haters... Back to writing like an adult: you can’t have an opinion about the city if you've never been there, and you CERTAINLY cannot say that the whole city is done for. Have you been to the DIA, Tigers Stadium, Slows Barbecue, Campus Martius, basically all of Midtown, Eastern Market, Corktown and Greektown, just to name a few? No, I’ll bet you haven’t. Have you seen or heard the incredible art that is being created in the city? No, again, right? How about all of the delicious restaurants and innovative business that are cropping up all over town? I guess it's probably safe to go with a final, no. Clearly it’s more fun for you to focus on ruin porn and abandoned houses. Please bear in mind, little, if any, good has ever come on focusing on destruction.
It’s upon focusing on the positives that already exist and envisioning the good to come, that true change is made. So I beg of you, before you share your negative opinion on Detroit, don’t. Try to say something positive. Even if it’s just, “I really hope your city makes it out of this”, I promise people from the city and Metro Detroit area, alike will appreciate it. Because wouldn't you want someone to try to bandage you up instead of kicking you in the gut after you had been injured? I think so. Remember, you are Detroit, so treat the city the way you’d like to be treated.
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Important People
One of the aspects of life that disturbs me the most is entitlement. The colloquial way of saying it is, "People who think they're important". Whether it is found in a child who has been given everything and expects it to continue, or someone who calls in on the phone at my job and expects me to know who they are by the sound of importance in their voice, it is a rather unattractive and, dare I say, disgusting quality to possess.
I don't care who you are, I don't care what you've done, you are not better than anyone else. You are not above basic manners, etiquette and acts of kindness. We are all at the same level. Don't think just because you've accomplished "more", or have a greater number of material goods, that your worth is higher than any other human being you meet. Treat everyone with the respect and dignity you'd like to be treated with. Be kind.
Just because you've cast a couple movies, been cast in a couple movies, know one famous person or have a rich family, doesn't mean that you have the right to talk down to people. Just because you have a bundle of money doesn't make you any more or less human than the next gal or guy. We are not what we have or what we do, we are how and who we love.
People who know and are secure with their self worth, don't have to go flaunting it about in obvious ways. They own it, because it's part of who they are. Everyone has a right to be proud of the good work they've done. No one has the right to wear it on their sleeve and try to use it to push other people down. We're all just people. We all just live and breathe and try to survive until we die and in the meantime, we're striving to find a little hope and a great meaning in our lives. Why would you take away from that by being a dick? I'm serious. Knock it off and get a grip!
People who are worthy of being lauded, are those who bring others up with them. If you have achieved an accomplishment, or multiple accomplishments that you are proud of, then bring others in with you. Even if it's only a simple smile, or a bit of patience, these small gestures are a nice way to show your gratitude for the blessings in your life, and to lift others up with your good fortune.
There is no reason to be rude just because think you've done something cool. None. Capeesh? If anything, I would think the more you accomplish, the kinder you'd be, recognizing the luck you've had. What goes around comes around, and whether it's this life or the next, the afterlife, or tomorrow, you'll eventually fall victim or be graced with the same level of respect you treated your fellow human being with.
Be nice and get over yourself.
God bless America,
Lo
I don't care who you are, I don't care what you've done, you are not better than anyone else. You are not above basic manners, etiquette and acts of kindness. We are all at the same level. Don't think just because you've accomplished "more", or have a greater number of material goods, that your worth is higher than any other human being you meet. Treat everyone with the respect and dignity you'd like to be treated with. Be kind.
Just because you've cast a couple movies, been cast in a couple movies, know one famous person or have a rich family, doesn't mean that you have the right to talk down to people. Just because you have a bundle of money doesn't make you any more or less human than the next gal or guy. We are not what we have or what we do, we are how and who we love.
People who know and are secure with their self worth, don't have to go flaunting it about in obvious ways. They own it, because it's part of who they are. Everyone has a right to be proud of the good work they've done. No one has the right to wear it on their sleeve and try to use it to push other people down. We're all just people. We all just live and breathe and try to survive until we die and in the meantime, we're striving to find a little hope and a great meaning in our lives. Why would you take away from that by being a dick? I'm serious. Knock it off and get a grip!
People who are worthy of being lauded, are those who bring others up with them. If you have achieved an accomplishment, or multiple accomplishments that you are proud of, then bring others in with you. Even if it's only a simple smile, or a bit of patience, these small gestures are a nice way to show your gratitude for the blessings in your life, and to lift others up with your good fortune.
There is no reason to be rude just because think you've done something cool. None. Capeesh? If anything, I would think the more you accomplish, the kinder you'd be, recognizing the luck you've had. What goes around comes around, and whether it's this life or the next, the afterlife, or tomorrow, you'll eventually fall victim or be graced with the same level of respect you treated your fellow human being with.
Be nice and get over yourself.
God bless America,
Lo
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Reminders, A Pep Talk.
Though it may be hard, it's important to separate your soul from the ego. Be humble, yet proud, of your endeavors and do not forget to take a moment to savor the small victories on your path. For sometimes, if you compile all the small victories together, they become quite large and impressive. Give yourself credit. Focus on being, not doing. Have compassion for yourself. Focus on what you desire, and blessings you already possess, instead of what you don't have. Never allow yourself to believe your soul's worth is comprised of what you do or what you have. It's only how you love. Live a life of truth rather than a life of popular opinion. Be authentic. Take time to look in someone else's eyes. Take a moment to acknowledge what is great about you and the many ways you give back to the Earth. You are important. You are seen. And you have talents that no one else on this planet does. You are unique! Relish in this and share those talents with the world. Sing your music out loud, not just in your head. The world needs you, the best, most-truthful version of yourself. So believe in this person and let them live without tearing them down every second. You count. You will be counted. You always have been. Keep going.
LL
LL
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Maya Angelou
"I've still not written as well as I'd like to write.I want to write so that the reader in Des Moines, Iowa and Chaohu, China and Cape Town, South Africa, and Harlem and Boston...I want to write so that, that reader can say, you know, that's the truth.’” - Maya Angelou
True heroes keep searching for truth, no matter how renown, famous or secure they are in their artistry. There's always more. And it's this constant searching that makes you an artist. It's this thirst for authenticity that makes you someone to revere. Doctor Maya Angelou was one of my greatest heroes. Her simple phrase "Nothing Human is Alien To Me," inspired me to write the lyrics to the first song I ever dared to create by myself. Her artistry induced the creativity of millions. She was a teacher to the world and she will be greatly missed. Without ever knowing her, she touched my life beyond any description words can provide. Rest in peace, sweet angel, the world will miss your light.
True heroes keep searching for truth, no matter how renown, famous or secure they are in their artistry. There's always more. And it's this constant searching that makes you an artist. It's this thirst for authenticity that makes you someone to revere. Doctor Maya Angelou was one of my greatest heroes. Her simple phrase "Nothing Human is Alien To Me," inspired me to write the lyrics to the first song I ever dared to create by myself. Her artistry induced the creativity of millions. She was a teacher to the world and she will be greatly missed. Without ever knowing her, she touched my life beyond any description words can provide. Rest in peace, sweet angel, the world will miss your light.
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
To Grow Up
To Grow Up
No one taught me how to grow up
Ripped from the sun kissed days of youth
Into the bleak, wintery abyss of maturity
No one prepared me for this.
I know everyone goes through it,
I understand it's part of life,
That in order to be accepted we must "grow",
But I don't understand why.
Why should we have to give up
The only things that make life beautiful
In order to survive in this world?
As children we understand what's important:
The connections between each other
Singing songs and holding hands
That play and make believe are sacred...
Why must these life-giving entities disappear
Or be looked at as Naive as we grow?
It seems to me that adulthood is code
For throwing your soul to the stones.
Couldn't we compromise?
I believe we can fulfill our childhood desires
While coming at them from a deeper
And more mature perspective.
Until we come to a place where "childishness:"
Is accepted in the adult heart
I will never feel welcome
In a world that shuts such wonder out.
Monday, March 17, 2014
The Love That You Have
Everybody’s just doing the best job they can with the love that they have, and it’s a damn shame that it’s not enough sometimes. It is heartbreaking. Nobody means to do bad things or hurt someone they love and/or feel bonded to. It’s just I think deep down inside we’re all so empty...That we’re all just trying to feel this deep void in whatever way we can and that sometimes other people’s hearts get tramped in the process. When you think of it, it is selfish, yet so relatable...We all just need to be loved so badly, and we’re all so hungry for it that sometimes we forget about consequences. And we have to learn to forgive those who starved for love so much that they sucked all the love we had out of us. Even they were doing the best they could. And the best we can do is walk away, pick up the pieces and forgive them.
Thursday, December 5, 2013
The Art of Being Bad At Something
Just call me Revelation Sally, because I have a big one to share. I was wondering, wracking my brain about why I am not already a regular Jimmy Hendrix after two years of playing guitar, and I realized something very important: We get older and we forget the art of being bad at something.
Yes, there’s an art. Do you remember the first sentence you wrote, or the first time you danced, or the first time you painted a picture? No? That’s because you were probably terrible at it and didn’t know what you were doing. But you want to know what’s great about that? You didn’t care how terribly misspelled your sentence was,or what your dance looked like, or if your picture was just a blob of paint. The most important part was that you were having fun and didn’t understand judging yourself negatively was an option.
All you were doing was taking what you learned and putting it to use. And if you continued to do what you learned, and continued to not judge yourself, you probably traveled on to be pretty good at the activity and, perhaps, even an expert. So the first key to getting better at something, and even traveling to being an expert at something, is to refrain from judging yourself.
The second key is to just keep doing it. We often give up citing frustration over not gaining success with a given activity, art or job fast enough. Well, when you’re comparing what you’re just starting, to other skills that you have been practicing for pretty much your entire life, the new activity doesn’t have a chance in hell. Take my guitar-playing situation. I have often compared it to signing. I have been singing since I could talk and taking lessons since I was 14. There is NO WAY that I could possibly compare these newly acquired skills, to ones I have been honing for almost all my life. It would be like comparing a two year-old’s verbal skills to that of a 22 year old. It’s just a wildly unfair competition.
The two year old still needs many years to grow, to learn, and gain damn motor skills. I read that it takes in 10,000 hours to become an expert on any given subject or art. I am probably 5-10% of the way there. That’s a lot of hours to go, son!
In conclusion, the third, and most important key is to embrace the art of being bad at something. In other words: enjoy the learning process. Know that unless you are a prodigy, this is something you’ve gone through many times before and conveniently forgotten. Even the greatest artists, musicians, scientists and poets were novices at some point. No matter what the task is, if you keep at it, refrain from judgement and learn to enjoy the process of learning, you will get better.
Good luck on your journey from Bad to Expert.
With Love,
Lauren :-)
Saturday, October 26, 2013
A Rant About Spiritual Wealth
If you get everything you want all the time then you never take the time to understand most painful lessons, which are, likewise, the most fruitful lessons for your soul. You need to know what's truly important outside of the physical world, and unless you go through suffering, you never really get the chance to fully comprehend that. When I think of my deepest goals in life, allI really want to do is connect to the my fellow human beings and share the love I've learned--to make sure that whatever I do in my life is an expression of that. I thank God that I've had the chance to learn the truth, and also, that I am open enough to hear new truths each day. I love people, I love this earth and I want to give back to it. I love every creature on the planet, I love God, I love that I am a part of everything and everyone. Love is the answer. The only answer that heals. The only answer that can take you through to the end and beyond. Everything good is coming to me and I'm giving out everything good...In other words I will not give the world energy that does not serve it and I will not accept energy that does not serve me. I have unyielding gratitude for everyone I meet and I learn from both every blessing and every suffering in my life. I have spiritual wealth. This can never be taken away from me. It is possible to have every possesion, every title you wear and even every person taken away from you...But no human or outside force can ever take away your spiritual blessings-the love you give and receive, that’s yours to keep. If you can base your life on these principles, dispose of your ego and learn to look at all outside forces (your status, job, possessions) as something that can serve your inner life, but that never define it, then, and only then, are you able to find meaning and peace.
I hope you just enjoyed my random stream of consciousness about the meaning of life.
Love,
Lo :)
Thursday, October 24, 2013
The First Americans
We love to call out Genocide
A nation built on "Savior's" pride
It seems so easy to forget
Our country rests on unpaid debt
They took advantage of your kindness
Trampled down your history
Stole from you with rampant blindness
Burned the roots of wise oak trees
We thought we had it figured out
The new found world, so big, so bold
We all know the words of our story
But the first American's goes untold.
Notice how they never smite us
They just wish we undersood
That each spirit is connected
And only love will do us good.
So if you can before you leave
Take a moment to learn
The story of our true forefathers
It's time their truth be heard.
A nation built on "Savior's" pride
It seems so easy to forget
Our country rests on unpaid debt
They took advantage of your kindness
Trampled down your history
Stole from you with rampant blindness
Burned the roots of wise oak trees
We thought we had it figured out
The new found world, so big, so bold
We all know the words of our story
But the first American's goes untold.
Notice how they never smite us
They just wish we undersood
That each spirit is connected
And only love will do us good.
So if you can before you leave
Take a moment to learn
The story of our true forefathers
It's time their truth be heard.
Friday, September 20, 2013
Technology--Empathy---Robots
I am sick of getting emails from robots. I feel like, back in the day, people used to email each other because it was a quick way to get a personal message from one body to another. Now a-days, it’s always robots trying to solicit you, or, if you’re lucky, it’s a business email. I find myself leaping at the chance to open up an email that is from an actual warm-bodied human being...Even if the topic may be unpleasant. I am so happy to find that another person took the time to write to me, even if it’s just about a business matter. If a person actually just writes me to say hello or tell me they care, it’s a bonanza in my house. It makes my heart more warm than you can imagine--I get so excited!
On another tangent, I feel like the amount of technology we have is ironically getting to a point where it’s debilitating, rather than helpful. I feel it is taking away the one real advantage human beings have over other animals which is empathy. You see, everything is just too easy. There aren’t enough consequences on a personal, human level. People can just say whatever they want to withouth looking the person they’ve just injured in the eyes. You always don’t have to spend as much time laboring over how to say something to someone or what to do because you can just text them. It has the potential to turn people (especially young kids) into low-level sociopaths, if we’re not careful.
We also use these technology as a crutch. There have been many times where I have chosen to watch Netflix, text or peruse social media over dealing with how I actually felt, because, well, it made me feel better than sitting and dealing with myself. Techonology has made it supremely easy to pretend like everything is going great when really you’re crumbling. It has allowed us to focus on only select part of ourselves without really getting into the gritty stuff. Unfortunately, unless we allow ourselves to feel and acknowledge the unpleasant aspects of our lives, we cannot grow.
Technology has made it easier to deceive everyone, most importantly (and detrimentally), ourselves. I think I have a real compulsion to delve into the technology world whenever I start to feel unpleasant/uncomfortable feelings. Honestly, at this point grabbing your phone is the modern day equivalent of drinking-it lowers your inhibitions, it makes you feel “cool” and like you belong. Much like alcohol, it is simply a temporary solution to a much bigger problem that has the potential to be solved, if you just put down the phone and look at yourself.. I am challenging myself to do this, will you do it too? I hope so. Let’s bring back caring about people (including ourselves) more than machines.
Love,
Lo
On another tangent, I feel like the amount of technology we have is ironically getting to a point where it’s debilitating, rather than helpful. I feel it is taking away the one real advantage human beings have over other animals which is empathy. You see, everything is just too easy. There aren’t enough consequences on a personal, human level. People can just say whatever they want to withouth looking the person they’ve just injured in the eyes. You always don’t have to spend as much time laboring over how to say something to someone or what to do because you can just text them. It has the potential to turn people (especially young kids) into low-level sociopaths, if we’re not careful.
We also use these technology as a crutch. There have been many times where I have chosen to watch Netflix, text or peruse social media over dealing with how I actually felt, because, well, it made me feel better than sitting and dealing with myself. Techonology has made it supremely easy to pretend like everything is going great when really you’re crumbling. It has allowed us to focus on only select part of ourselves without really getting into the gritty stuff. Unfortunately, unless we allow ourselves to feel and acknowledge the unpleasant aspects of our lives, we cannot grow.
Technology has made it easier to deceive everyone, most importantly (and detrimentally), ourselves. I think I have a real compulsion to delve into the technology world whenever I start to feel unpleasant/uncomfortable feelings. Honestly, at this point grabbing your phone is the modern day equivalent of drinking-it lowers your inhibitions, it makes you feel “cool” and like you belong. Much like alcohol, it is simply a temporary solution to a much bigger problem that has the potential to be solved, if you just put down the phone and look at yourself.. I am challenging myself to do this, will you do it too? I hope so. Let’s bring back caring about people (including ourselves) more than machines.
Love,
Lo
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Nothing Human is Alien To Me
Together we stand, but standing, or seated, we're never really apart. It is our great tragedy that we, as humans, believe we can ever be separate from one another. We are connected to every person and every action each person produces. Above all, I know this to be true.
There is one quote from Maya Angelou that forever changed my perspective and "accidentally" propelled me into becoming a songwriter, "I am a Human Being, nothing Human can be Alien to me". This quote explains life on this planet perfectly, as far as I can see it. Maya explains this line by saying something to the effect of, "I realized, that as a person, I am capable of the greatest good that a human can do, and with that, also, the most atrocious evil."
We must have the awareness that when we perform positive acts, a collective pulse of joy travels through the souls of the world, and in contrast, that when we put out evil, a collective cry is experienced in every soul. Therefore, we have no room to judge anyone else, and can only go toward understanding, as when you judge or condemn another, you are ultimately judging and condemning yourself. I've said it before, and I'll continue to say it until my dying day, but the simple fact of the matter is that if unconditional love for ourselves and our fellow human was our number one goal, everything else would fall into place. Work to make love your first reaction.
As Maya says, "If we can do that [see that we are capable of] about the negative, just think of what we can do about the positive." In other words, since light always trumps darkness, if we, as humans, are capable of the most heinous crimes, then we, as humans, are also capable of an even greater level of the most miraculous good. For even Jesus said, "Even the least among you is capable of all I have done and GREATER." Greater! That is so inspiring to me. That a person who literally created miracles through love is telling me and all of my fellow species-mates that we are capable of even greater miracles! The thought alone brings tears to my eyes.
There is so much evidence in the world of the obstacles love, understanding and truth can overcome. Why don't we commit today to understand instead of condemn, to love instead of hate and to be honest instead of living a lie. See a reflection of yourself in everyone you meet. Love the reflection you see. Remember, what we don't like in other people most often reveals what we don't like in ourselves. It's called projection. Stop it. Learn that when you hurt one you hurt all. So choose to help many. Love until it hurts, hurt until it heals. And know that we can never be divided.
Whether we like it or not, we can never separate from where we came. We are all connected through the soul. We are all of the same source. We are one.
The Maya Video :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oe-6h0T2qt4, this one talk inspired me to write my first song:
My Song: "Nothing Human":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFGNozHHWeg
Sending you love,
Lo :-D
There is one quote from Maya Angelou that forever changed my perspective and "accidentally" propelled me into becoming a songwriter, "I am a Human Being, nothing Human can be Alien to me". This quote explains life on this planet perfectly, as far as I can see it. Maya explains this line by saying something to the effect of, "I realized, that as a person, I am capable of the greatest good that a human can do, and with that, also, the most atrocious evil."
We must have the awareness that when we perform positive acts, a collective pulse of joy travels through the souls of the world, and in contrast, that when we put out evil, a collective cry is experienced in every soul. Therefore, we have no room to judge anyone else, and can only go toward understanding, as when you judge or condemn another, you are ultimately judging and condemning yourself. I've said it before, and I'll continue to say it until my dying day, but the simple fact of the matter is that if unconditional love for ourselves and our fellow human was our number one goal, everything else would fall into place. Work to make love your first reaction.
As Maya says, "If we can do that [see that we are capable of] about the negative, just think of what we can do about the positive." In other words, since light always trumps darkness, if we, as humans, are capable of the most heinous crimes, then we, as humans, are also capable of an even greater level of the most miraculous good. For even Jesus said, "Even the least among you is capable of all I have done and GREATER." Greater! That is so inspiring to me. That a person who literally created miracles through love is telling me and all of my fellow species-mates that we are capable of even greater miracles! The thought alone brings tears to my eyes.
There is so much evidence in the world of the obstacles love, understanding and truth can overcome. Why don't we commit today to understand instead of condemn, to love instead of hate and to be honest instead of living a lie. See a reflection of yourself in everyone you meet. Love the reflection you see. Remember, what we don't like in other people most often reveals what we don't like in ourselves. It's called projection. Stop it. Learn that when you hurt one you hurt all. So choose to help many. Love until it hurts, hurt until it heals. And know that we can never be divided.
Whether we like it or not, we can never separate from where we came. We are all connected through the soul. We are all of the same source. We are one.
The Maya Video :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oe-6h0T2qt4, this one talk inspired me to write my first song:
My Song: "Nothing Human":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFGNozHHWeg
Sending you love,
Lo :-D
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Anger Is A Warning
The truth is, someone never takes away your power unless you let them. What state of mind do you have to be in to think it’s acceptable for love to look like judgement and anger? Why do we allow ourselves to feel loyalty to someone who hasn’t earned it? I think I am way too trusting, loving and kind for my own good. I give people too many chances. I believe in people’s goodness too much. It helps me, but often times, it also hurts me.
How do you strike up the balance between being strong and being kind? It’s something I’m still working on and haven’t figured out just yet. When someone comes at me in a way that is unkind, I often shut down. What should I do? I guess one tactic would be to say, “I can’t talk to you when you are acting this way”. I could also meet their anger, but that feels foreign and wrong. In my heart I know it’s ineffective and it only makes me feel more unsettled. I believe a good compromise would be to match their negative emotion level with a positive emotion level of kindness.
It’s not fair because even though kindness and love are more powerful and energetic emotions, anger is the one that sticks out because it’s a warning. It’s inoculating our emotional sense memory for future occurrences when your heart might be unsafe, where you may be vulnerable.
I guess if this is a similar occurrence that keeps coming up with a person, the best thing to do is leave the situation. But what if they are working on it? And it does get better each time it happens. But the fact is it’s still happening. And even if that person is working on it, there’s no guarantee that the instinct will ever go away.
So my main question is when do you get to the point where you’re giving love and goodheartedness too much credit and not giving anger, competitiveness and cruelty enough? Their power to wound the soul may just cancel out love’s ability to heal it. How can love grow in a place where war abounds? It cannot.
What to do, what to do...
How do you strike up the balance between being strong and being kind? It’s something I’m still working on and haven’t figured out just yet. When someone comes at me in a way that is unkind, I often shut down. What should I do? I guess one tactic would be to say, “I can’t talk to you when you are acting this way”. I could also meet their anger, but that feels foreign and wrong. In my heart I know it’s ineffective and it only makes me feel more unsettled. I believe a good compromise would be to match their negative emotion level with a positive emotion level of kindness.
It’s not fair because even though kindness and love are more powerful and energetic emotions, anger is the one that sticks out because it’s a warning. It’s inoculating our emotional sense memory for future occurrences when your heart might be unsafe, where you may be vulnerable.
I guess if this is a similar occurrence that keeps coming up with a person, the best thing to do is leave the situation. But what if they are working on it? And it does get better each time it happens. But the fact is it’s still happening. And even if that person is working on it, there’s no guarantee that the instinct will ever go away.
So my main question is when do you get to the point where you’re giving love and goodheartedness too much credit and not giving anger, competitiveness and cruelty enough? Their power to wound the soul may just cancel out love’s ability to heal it. How can love grow in a place where war abounds? It cannot.
What to do, what to do...
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Let Go And Do Your Best
I want to rid myself of this looming veil of sadness I always seem to carry with me. I regret to say that this wallowing feeling has been present in even my brightest moments. I guess it's not that it was present, but rather, that I knew it would return. Is that case, perhaps it was me that inserted it back into my life with my subconscious mind. Is this feeling part of being an artist? If so, I think I'd prefer to be a Buddhist artist. More zen. Best of both worlds...I wish I wanted something simple sometimes.
And honestly, it's not like this undercurrent of feeling even really bothers me. It certainly doesn't interfere with my everyday life. It's more of a dull ache that can be lived with forever. The worry is that it is keeping me from leading my BEST, most productive life. I'd rather just do some emotional physical therapy and work it out, so that I can get to the root of it and rid myself of this feeling forever. The truth of it is, unproductive emotions really have no place in a mover and shaker's existence. I see glimpses of true, pure happiness, and even bliss, but if you let the negativity creep in for even a second, it can be fairly easy to find yourself on a roller coaster of destructive thoughts.
One method to rid yourself of this, I think, is to feel what you need to feel, but recognize when you're creating something that isn't there or wallowing in an emotion that should have passed. I also notice this feeling tends to crop up when I try to control something that is out of my hands. I've written and theorized about this before, but clearly I need to reexamine it. The feeling that I had the ability to control something that turned out with an undesirable outcome provides an easy path to beating yourself up. As I always say, cliches are cliches for a reason, and if we can just learn to let go, let God, I think we can find our way to a more stable happiness. We simply need to acknowledge what we don't have power over and make sure to always do our best in every situation. If we can do these things honestly, then I feel the road to contentment will gently lay itself out in front of our feet.
This is something I am going to work on: acknowledging what I can and cannot control, and striving to do my best in every situation. I think this is a start.
More later!
Over and out,
Lauren :-D
And honestly, it's not like this undercurrent of feeling even really bothers me. It certainly doesn't interfere with my everyday life. It's more of a dull ache that can be lived with forever. The worry is that it is keeping me from leading my BEST, most productive life. I'd rather just do some emotional physical therapy and work it out, so that I can get to the root of it and rid myself of this feeling forever. The truth of it is, unproductive emotions really have no place in a mover and shaker's existence. I see glimpses of true, pure happiness, and even bliss, but if you let the negativity creep in for even a second, it can be fairly easy to find yourself on a roller coaster of destructive thoughts.
One method to rid yourself of this, I think, is to feel what you need to feel, but recognize when you're creating something that isn't there or wallowing in an emotion that should have passed. I also notice this feeling tends to crop up when I try to control something that is out of my hands. I've written and theorized about this before, but clearly I need to reexamine it. The feeling that I had the ability to control something that turned out with an undesirable outcome provides an easy path to beating yourself up. As I always say, cliches are cliches for a reason, and if we can just learn to let go, let God, I think we can find our way to a more stable happiness. We simply need to acknowledge what we don't have power over and make sure to always do our best in every situation. If we can do these things honestly, then I feel the road to contentment will gently lay itself out in front of our feet.
This is something I am going to work on: acknowledging what I can and cannot control, and striving to do my best in every situation. I think this is a start.
More later!
Over and out,
Lauren :-D
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Lessons Learned From Eavesdropping
I have a confession to make: If you are talking within 10-15 feet of me, I will eavesdrop. I don't look at it as nosy, so much as, looking for insight into the human experience. And quite frankly, if you really didn't want me to hear, you would have either moved farther away or spoken in a softer voice.
So here's the deal: I am sitting at my job at the Yoga Studio minding my own business (sort of), doing my zen ambassador thing (aka, being the receptionist), when these two ladies post up on the notorious yoga studio bench and start hashing out the past 10 years of their dysfuncitonal relationships. This is fine. It's common. It's something we've seen and had modeled to us throughout the years in various Films and Television shows, namely Sex In The City. But as I sat there, I couldn't help but wonder*, isn't there an age when the bullshit ends, and we just grow the fuck up?
These women are in their forties. They have lived through a significant portion of life, and undoubtedly, relationships. Why is the conversation still the same as it was when they were sixteen?
Now this is something I am asking myself as a 24 year-old woman, but I feel if I were 44, working through the same issues, it would be a constant question ringing in my head. I have to think that if you are continually having these problems with dating and relationships, at a certain point, it comes down to the way you are picking and a lack of willingness to learn from your past experiences.
This pattern of refusing to learn from past pain is actually rude to yourself. It's saying, "Hey, self, I know you went through some really tough stuff in the relationship before this, but I am going to be a jackass to you and forget all of the hurt you went through. I am going to ignore the warning signs, and continue on, because, it's better than being alone, right?"
Wrong. No. If you haven't taken the time to sift through your past entanglements and question what there was to learn, then you shouldn't be jumping into another. The way to be a better person, to have good communication, and to choose a healthy partner, is by dissecting your past experiences and asking why.
So I guess the answer I am coming to is, no, there is no logical reason to be repeating the same dating patterns you engaged in when you were a young girl in your mid-to-late adult life (and even in your early life), unless they worked for you. Futhermore, if you keep experiencing these unpleasant courtships, then there must be some part of you that is addicted to the drama. I suggest exploring that.
But I couldn't tell those chicks what I was thinking, because they didn't even know I was listening. But they totally did. Hopefully they don't know I am blogging, though. Can I get sued for this?
Anyway, I am vowing here to learn. Because I don't want to be 40-something, sitting on a yoga bench, having some 24-year-old listen to my conversation and go home to write a blog about me. I also want to be happy. When you know better, you do better. You understand.
Alright, over and out!
<3 Lolo
*Shout to Carrie Bradshaw who said that phrase in every episode and also made the same mistakes over and over again when she should have just figured it out.
So here's the deal: I am sitting at my job at the Yoga Studio minding my own business (sort of), doing my zen ambassador thing (aka, being the receptionist), when these two ladies post up on the notorious yoga studio bench and start hashing out the past 10 years of their dysfuncitonal relationships. This is fine. It's common. It's something we've seen and had modeled to us throughout the years in various Films and Television shows, namely Sex In The City. But as I sat there, I couldn't help but wonder*, isn't there an age when the bullshit ends, and we just grow the fuck up?
These women are in their forties. They have lived through a significant portion of life, and undoubtedly, relationships. Why is the conversation still the same as it was when they were sixteen?
Now this is something I am asking myself as a 24 year-old woman, but I feel if I were 44, working through the same issues, it would be a constant question ringing in my head. I have to think that if you are continually having these problems with dating and relationships, at a certain point, it comes down to the way you are picking and a lack of willingness to learn from your past experiences.
This pattern of refusing to learn from past pain is actually rude to yourself. It's saying, "Hey, self, I know you went through some really tough stuff in the relationship before this, but I am going to be a jackass to you and forget all of the hurt you went through. I am going to ignore the warning signs, and continue on, because, it's better than being alone, right?"
Wrong. No. If you haven't taken the time to sift through your past entanglements and question what there was to learn, then you shouldn't be jumping into another. The way to be a better person, to have good communication, and to choose a healthy partner, is by dissecting your past experiences and asking why.
So I guess the answer I am coming to is, no, there is no logical reason to be repeating the same dating patterns you engaged in when you were a young girl in your mid-to-late adult life (and even in your early life), unless they worked for you. Futhermore, if you keep experiencing these unpleasant courtships, then there must be some part of you that is addicted to the drama. I suggest exploring that.
But I couldn't tell those chicks what I was thinking, because they didn't even know I was listening. But they totally did. Hopefully they don't know I am blogging, though. Can I get sued for this?
Anyway, I am vowing here to learn. Because I don't want to be 40-something, sitting on a yoga bench, having some 24-year-old listen to my conversation and go home to write a blog about me. I also want to be happy. When you know better, you do better. You understand.
Alright, over and out!
<3 Lolo
*Shout to Carrie Bradshaw who said that phrase in every episode and also made the same mistakes over and over again when she should have just figured it out.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
The Most Important Profession: An Ode To My Third Grade Teacher
The ability to change a life. It's something we all have within us. We have the ability to change and better not only our own lives, but also, those of others. Today I would like to take a moment to talk about a person who profoundly affected the human being I am today. Without him I have no idea where I would be. I've told him so many times that he bettered my life, but it's about time the whole world knows, or at the very least, the readers of my blog.
Now let's take a quick tram down memory lane: It was 1998, I had just finished second grade. Going into second grade I was confident, goofy, loud and quirky. I had a ton of friends and an enjoyment for school. Leaving second grade I was scared, insecure, lonely and the least myself that I have ever been in my life. What happened, you may ask? The simple answer is that I had a teacher that year who destroyed my self esteem. She took a bright, outgoing, self-aware child, and turned her into a cowering, shy and afraid one.
She made me feel stupid any time I tried to talk or answer a question, I felt completely voiceless and certainly unworthy of any praise. I would make up stomach aches so I wouldn't have to go to school. My Parents tried to help the best they knew how, but there’s only so much you can do from outside the classroom. I can honestly say this was one of the most difficult, if not THE most difficult years of my life. I know it sounds strange to hear that about such a young age, but as anyone who has studied psychology, communication or just been alive knows, your childhood sets up the precedent for the rest of your life. The things that happen when you are but a babe can be the most jarring because you are innocent and don't expect the world to ever be cruel.
I have one vivid memory where we were all on the playground and I purposely isolated myself because I couldn't imagine why someone would want to play with me. When I think of this moment I just want to go back to my seven year-old self, give her a hug and tell her it's going to be okay. It breaks my heart. While I was sitting there alone, my dear childhood friend Katie approached me and said, "Lauren, come play with us, we don't want you sitting alone." That moment always sticks out in my head as such a brave act of kindness from another person who was also only a child, and yet, had so much compassion, courage and empathy. Thanks Girl. Beyond that sweet memory, there aren’t a lot of terribly great ones from that school year, and it is absolutely frightful to think that I allowed someone to take away my power so easily. Now as a 7/8 year-old, most of us don't know much better than to believe that the superiors in our life are smart enough to tell us the truth, but it is still gutwrenching to me that I allowed that to happen.
So as you can imagine, I left this year feeling like I wasn't intelligent, with a low self esteem and not too excited about the thought of school. Fast forward through the summer where I had some fun in the sun, recovered a bit and got ready to enter third grade. Now, I don't know how it happened but somehow I got slotted into a class with a woman who was extremely harsh, not very generous of spirit and long-story-short, much like my teacher the year before. After a couple weeks of enduring her questionable teaching method, my parents and I realized this wasn't going to be okay to go through again. By the grace of God, we went in and had a meeting with the principal who recommended I switch classses to a guy named Mr. Swansey. Now at first I was all like, "What? A boy teacher? Dat be cray!" But then I started to think this Swans guy sounded like he was pretty top notch.
I still remember the first day of class. I had gotten up early, which so rarely happened, and got dressed in my third grade finest, which was probably a Nautica sweater and some stretchy slacks.* I remember I had the feeling of excitement about going to school for the first time in a very long time. Mr. Swansey welcomed me in and we started to talk. It was amazing, because even the environment of that class room was different. When students walked in the door, many of them gave me a hug and welcomed me to class. I felt comfortable and ready to rock for the first time in so long. This can be attributed solely to the type of classroom that Mr. Swansey had set up. He created a space in which students could be friendly and loving, a space where they could support one another.
On that day it was like my whole world flipped around. It was as if walking into that classroom injected the life back in me that has been sucked out the year before. I really believe it was that year, that I decided to be smart. To this day I would never say I am the most book smart person in the room, but I think I am often the hardest worker, which puts me right up there with the smartest. I learned with tenacity, drive and a bit of brain power, you can learn most anything you want to. I still remember the first time we did long division in that class. I was getting it! It made sense! I was so excited! I remember Mr. Swansey looked over my shoulder and said, "Look at Miss. LoGrasso go!" It makes me tear up to think back and remember how much it meant to me to be complimented on how well I was doing at something that I had never received good feedback for. It gave me the confidence to keep working hard at things that didn't come naturally, because I knew that if I worked hard enough, I could be good at it.
He was also the first teacher who made me realize I am writer. I remember I wrote some weird story about the Titanic and how I (Or whatever I named the main character--who was really just an alias for Lauren LoGrasso) was able to save the ship from sinking by going back in time and warning everyone about the looming bergs. He complimented me on it with such sincerity that I knew I had something going on that was special. Without that, who knows if I ever would have had the gusto to keep developing those skills and become the songwriter/sketchwriter/blogger/tweeter (Wink), I am today.
I remember doing these 100 word spelling tests in his class, three days in a row. They were really difficult. I made a deal with my Dad that if I got 100% on all of them we would go to Greenfield Village. I got 100 on two and 99% on one. I started crying because I thought my Greenfield village dreams were done for. Mr. Swansey, ever the rational one, told me in so many words that I was being ridiculous, that my parents are lovely people and would probably still take me even though I got one word wrong. He was right. I got to hang out at the Colonial wonder world all day long, and even learned a valuable lesson: it's okay to not be perfect as long as you always try your very best. That's what perfect really is, anyway, putting all the effort you can muster into being your best self. Not only that, but If I had not taken those tests, and gained the confidence that I knew how to memorize, and use the words correctly, who knows if I ever would have been able to recite a shakespeare monologue, learn and write songs quickly or even write this blog.
There are truly countless examples I could give of how this incredible educator changed my life, but the point I am trying to hammer home is that the things you teach kids, and the confidence you instill in them, directly affects their future lives. If I hadn't been taught these important lessons and life skills in the third grade, who knows if ever would have. You really can't take what I teacher does for granted.
To the teachers out there, whether you have a degree and teach in an elementary school, middle school or high school, do freelance tutoring or are just someone who leads by example in their everyday life, never take your job for granted. For in two simple years one teacher completely urraveled who I was, and another teacher picked up the tattered thread and sewed me back together even better than I was before. You have the power to make or break a student. Do everything you can to build them up.
Children understand how human beings are supposed to be: open-hearted, kind and always assuming the best in people. Help them to stay that way for as long as possible. Do not trap students into self fulling prophecies. Teach them to work hard, to respect and love one another, and to count on you. There is no profession more noble or important on this planet than to teach another human being. Teachers make the politicians, musicians, doctors, lawyers, peace makers, future teachers, etc., so therefore, they are all these things too. You are the modern day spiritual leaders. Teach the children love. For themselves, for their fellow human being and for the world at large.
To this day Mr. Swansey and I are still in touch and talk often. He came to most of my play performances in middle school, high school and college. He was my special guest at high school graduation as I gave a speech to my entire graduating class. He has been and continues to be my mentor and confidant and I hope from time to time I've even been able to be that for him. He has supported me from day one. Thank you, thank you, thank you Dear Mr. Rand Swansey. Without you I could not be me. You are my hero.
<3
Miss. LoGrasso :-)
PS- I think he also helped me become the loud mouth I am today because come spring he had to temporarily put my desk up against the chalk board, so I couldn't talk to the other students during class. This time I was isolated because I was too confident and talked too much. I said to him, "I feel rude not talking to someone when they start talking to me.”, and he told me I could say to them, "I am sorry, but I can't talk right now because I am trying to learn." Oh the difference a year and a great teacher can make!
*RIP Jacobsons which provided me with the entirety of my grade school closet
Now let's take a quick tram down memory lane: It was 1998, I had just finished second grade. Going into second grade I was confident, goofy, loud and quirky. I had a ton of friends and an enjoyment for school. Leaving second grade I was scared, insecure, lonely and the least myself that I have ever been in my life. What happened, you may ask? The simple answer is that I had a teacher that year who destroyed my self esteem. She took a bright, outgoing, self-aware child, and turned her into a cowering, shy and afraid one.
She made me feel stupid any time I tried to talk or answer a question, I felt completely voiceless and certainly unworthy of any praise. I would make up stomach aches so I wouldn't have to go to school. My Parents tried to help the best they knew how, but there’s only so much you can do from outside the classroom. I can honestly say this was one of the most difficult, if not THE most difficult years of my life. I know it sounds strange to hear that about such a young age, but as anyone who has studied psychology, communication or just been alive knows, your childhood sets up the precedent for the rest of your life. The things that happen when you are but a babe can be the most jarring because you are innocent and don't expect the world to ever be cruel.
I have one vivid memory where we were all on the playground and I purposely isolated myself because I couldn't imagine why someone would want to play with me. When I think of this moment I just want to go back to my seven year-old self, give her a hug and tell her it's going to be okay. It breaks my heart. While I was sitting there alone, my dear childhood friend Katie approached me and said, "Lauren, come play with us, we don't want you sitting alone." That moment always sticks out in my head as such a brave act of kindness from another person who was also only a child, and yet, had so much compassion, courage and empathy. Thanks Girl. Beyond that sweet memory, there aren’t a lot of terribly great ones from that school year, and it is absolutely frightful to think that I allowed someone to take away my power so easily. Now as a 7/8 year-old, most of us don't know much better than to believe that the superiors in our life are smart enough to tell us the truth, but it is still gutwrenching to me that I allowed that to happen.
So as you can imagine, I left this year feeling like I wasn't intelligent, with a low self esteem and not too excited about the thought of school. Fast forward through the summer where I had some fun in the sun, recovered a bit and got ready to enter third grade. Now, I don't know how it happened but somehow I got slotted into a class with a woman who was extremely harsh, not very generous of spirit and long-story-short, much like my teacher the year before. After a couple weeks of enduring her questionable teaching method, my parents and I realized this wasn't going to be okay to go through again. By the grace of God, we went in and had a meeting with the principal who recommended I switch classses to a guy named Mr. Swansey. Now at first I was all like, "What? A boy teacher? Dat be cray!" But then I started to think this Swans guy sounded like he was pretty top notch.
I still remember the first day of class. I had gotten up early, which so rarely happened, and got dressed in my third grade finest, which was probably a Nautica sweater and some stretchy slacks.* I remember I had the feeling of excitement about going to school for the first time in a very long time. Mr. Swansey welcomed me in and we started to talk. It was amazing, because even the environment of that class room was different. When students walked in the door, many of them gave me a hug and welcomed me to class. I felt comfortable and ready to rock for the first time in so long. This can be attributed solely to the type of classroom that Mr. Swansey had set up. He created a space in which students could be friendly and loving, a space where they could support one another.
On that day it was like my whole world flipped around. It was as if walking into that classroom injected the life back in me that has been sucked out the year before. I really believe it was that year, that I decided to be smart. To this day I would never say I am the most book smart person in the room, but I think I am often the hardest worker, which puts me right up there with the smartest. I learned with tenacity, drive and a bit of brain power, you can learn most anything you want to. I still remember the first time we did long division in that class. I was getting it! It made sense! I was so excited! I remember Mr. Swansey looked over my shoulder and said, "Look at Miss. LoGrasso go!" It makes me tear up to think back and remember how much it meant to me to be complimented on how well I was doing at something that I had never received good feedback for. It gave me the confidence to keep working hard at things that didn't come naturally, because I knew that if I worked hard enough, I could be good at it.
He was also the first teacher who made me realize I am writer. I remember I wrote some weird story about the Titanic and how I (Or whatever I named the main character--who was really just an alias for Lauren LoGrasso) was able to save the ship from sinking by going back in time and warning everyone about the looming bergs. He complimented me on it with such sincerity that I knew I had something going on that was special. Without that, who knows if I ever would have had the gusto to keep developing those skills and become the songwriter/sketchwriter/blogger/tweeter (Wink), I am today.
I remember doing these 100 word spelling tests in his class, three days in a row. They were really difficult. I made a deal with my Dad that if I got 100% on all of them we would go to Greenfield Village. I got 100 on two and 99% on one. I started crying because I thought my Greenfield village dreams were done for. Mr. Swansey, ever the rational one, told me in so many words that I was being ridiculous, that my parents are lovely people and would probably still take me even though I got one word wrong. He was right. I got to hang out at the Colonial wonder world all day long, and even learned a valuable lesson: it's okay to not be perfect as long as you always try your very best. That's what perfect really is, anyway, putting all the effort you can muster into being your best self. Not only that, but If I had not taken those tests, and gained the confidence that I knew how to memorize, and use the words correctly, who knows if I ever would have been able to recite a shakespeare monologue, learn and write songs quickly or even write this blog.
There are truly countless examples I could give of how this incredible educator changed my life, but the point I am trying to hammer home is that the things you teach kids, and the confidence you instill in them, directly affects their future lives. If I hadn't been taught these important lessons and life skills in the third grade, who knows if ever would have. You really can't take what I teacher does for granted.
To the teachers out there, whether you have a degree and teach in an elementary school, middle school or high school, do freelance tutoring or are just someone who leads by example in their everyday life, never take your job for granted. For in two simple years one teacher completely urraveled who I was, and another teacher picked up the tattered thread and sewed me back together even better than I was before. You have the power to make or break a student. Do everything you can to build them up.
Children understand how human beings are supposed to be: open-hearted, kind and always assuming the best in people. Help them to stay that way for as long as possible. Do not trap students into self fulling prophecies. Teach them to work hard, to respect and love one another, and to count on you. There is no profession more noble or important on this planet than to teach another human being. Teachers make the politicians, musicians, doctors, lawyers, peace makers, future teachers, etc., so therefore, they are all these things too. You are the modern day spiritual leaders. Teach the children love. For themselves, for their fellow human being and for the world at large.
To this day Mr. Swansey and I are still in touch and talk often. He came to most of my play performances in middle school, high school and college. He was my special guest at high school graduation as I gave a speech to my entire graduating class. He has been and continues to be my mentor and confidant and I hope from time to time I've even been able to be that for him. He has supported me from day one. Thank you, thank you, thank you Dear Mr. Rand Swansey. Without you I could not be me. You are my hero.
<3
Miss. LoGrasso :-)
PS- I think he also helped me become the loud mouth I am today because come spring he had to temporarily put my desk up against the chalk board, so I couldn't talk to the other students during class. This time I was isolated because I was too confident and talked too much. I said to him, "I feel rude not talking to someone when they start talking to me.”, and he told me I could say to them, "I am sorry, but I can't talk right now because I am trying to learn." Oh the difference a year and a great teacher can make!
*RIP Jacobsons which provided me with the entirety of my grade school closet
Friday, April 5, 2013
Give Me Authenticity Or Give Me Death
Betrayal of oneself is possibly the most egregious spiritual crime. If you are willing to forsake your own soul for the sake of any seeming reward, then you have no chance whatsoever of being true to someone else. You cannot possibly see the road to happiness and fulfillment when you are focused on other's opinions and how to make your outward self more appealing. This need for outward validation is why we generally betray ourselves, right? We think: "I don't really want to do this", our intuition says, "this isn't right", but we go forth anyway, because we are worried about other's opinions and how we might look.
Why do we do this? In my own life, I have often betrayed my soul because I thought, "What will people say if I don't do this?" "Won't I be ashamed?", "Will I feel like a failure if I don't have monetary success?". The preceding questions exemplify the ego at its worst and most perilous state.
I have come to realize something: There is no greater shame than lacking the courage to follow your heart. Nothing is beneath me except being false to myself. That is far beneath me. And I hope it is beneath you too. There is no way we can possibly, respect, support, trust and love each other if we cannot do that for ourselves. All we leave this world with are our connections to each other: how we made each other feel and how well we loved. That is the only damn thing in this whole world that remains. Why take away this great spiritual gift?
I think about this in particular in regard to the feeling of shame society can bestow upon us for not having a high profile job. I really wish money didn't exist. I wish we could all be a bunch of hippies running around bartering, and focusing on following our souls. However, since it does, and since we live in a capitalistic culture we need to find a way to be validated by spiritual wealth instead of the fleeting physical wealth.
I know that if I had taken the "Natural Track" I could have a really nice, high-paying job, sitting in an office somewhere while my soul slowly withered alway along with my self-respect and passion for life. I would rather scrape around the world for years, going from vagabond job to vagabond job that surrender my soul to an institution I don't believe in. I know I will have success in the arts I am pursuing because I am doing it with absolute integrity and soul. Passion does not even begin to describe the way I feel about the messages I put forth through singing, writing, acting and teaching. Even if I end up in a place that's different from what I envisioned, I am one hundred percent sure that if I go forth with an open, honest heart, and with respect and honor for my deepest self, I will prevail.
Give me Authenticity or give me death! Really, if you aren't real with yourself, your happiness, light and love die. So while it sounds like an extreme statement, it's actually quite true. The only way we will find our path to enlightenment and love, lies within ourselves, not in anything physical we can conceive. So I challenge you all, as I challenge myself to focus on what's within: Nourish your inner self. Respect the being you came here to be. And for God's sake, be authentic. Everyone can smell a phony coming from a mile away and it's not too attractive. I really believe all the world's deepest issues start in self betrayal, so starting today, I ask you to be faithful to your soul. I can't wait to see the positive influence your honest and trustworthy self will have on the world!
Love,
Lo :)
Why do we do this? In my own life, I have often betrayed my soul because I thought, "What will people say if I don't do this?" "Won't I be ashamed?", "Will I feel like a failure if I don't have monetary success?". The preceding questions exemplify the ego at its worst and most perilous state.
I have come to realize something: There is no greater shame than lacking the courage to follow your heart. Nothing is beneath me except being false to myself. That is far beneath me. And I hope it is beneath you too. There is no way we can possibly, respect, support, trust and love each other if we cannot do that for ourselves. All we leave this world with are our connections to each other: how we made each other feel and how well we loved. That is the only damn thing in this whole world that remains. Why take away this great spiritual gift?
I think about this in particular in regard to the feeling of shame society can bestow upon us for not having a high profile job. I really wish money didn't exist. I wish we could all be a bunch of hippies running around bartering, and focusing on following our souls. However, since it does, and since we live in a capitalistic culture we need to find a way to be validated by spiritual wealth instead of the fleeting physical wealth.
I know that if I had taken the "Natural Track" I could have a really nice, high-paying job, sitting in an office somewhere while my soul slowly withered alway along with my self-respect and passion for life. I would rather scrape around the world for years, going from vagabond job to vagabond job that surrender my soul to an institution I don't believe in. I know I will have success in the arts I am pursuing because I am doing it with absolute integrity and soul. Passion does not even begin to describe the way I feel about the messages I put forth through singing, writing, acting and teaching. Even if I end up in a place that's different from what I envisioned, I am one hundred percent sure that if I go forth with an open, honest heart, and with respect and honor for my deepest self, I will prevail.
Give me Authenticity or give me death! Really, if you aren't real with yourself, your happiness, light and love die. So while it sounds like an extreme statement, it's actually quite true. The only way we will find our path to enlightenment and love, lies within ourselves, not in anything physical we can conceive. So I challenge you all, as I challenge myself to focus on what's within: Nourish your inner self. Respect the being you came here to be. And for God's sake, be authentic. Everyone can smell a phony coming from a mile away and it's not too attractive. I really believe all the world's deepest issues start in self betrayal, so starting today, I ask you to be faithful to your soul. I can't wait to see the positive influence your honest and trustworthy self will have on the world!
Love,
Lo :)
Friday, March 1, 2013
A Soul Too Big For My Body
I've heard quotes from famous theorists who say our goal on this Earth is to find a way to expand our soul to its maximum potential, while it's still contained in our physical bodies. Here's the problem I'm having with that goal: Sometimes I feel I was given a soul too big for my body. A soul that will make my body break into a million pieces if it expands to its largest potential.
For my whole life it seems to have been bursting at the seams, begging to be let out, to be set free, to be seen separate of this flesh that has long held it back. It could have been split between many different bodies and possibly been okay. But to love so much and so deeply, and to be begging for freedom all within the confines of one lump of flesh is sometimes more than I can bear.
Perhaps the burden of soul, so large can be alleviated if we can come to see that having many passionate desires is not a bad thing, as many would have us believe, but rather, a blessing. I've decided that my goal is to live many mini lives within this large one. I think my thrashing soul is an opportunity to do just that. So rather that feeling insane for having so many things that you love, and for loving them all so deeply, we can take that deep love and apply it to living a fuller life. Fear not, colossal souls of the universe: There's a place for you. There's a place for us all.
Nothing but love,
Lo
For my whole life it seems to have been bursting at the seams, begging to be let out, to be set free, to be seen separate of this flesh that has long held it back. It could have been split between many different bodies and possibly been okay. But to love so much and so deeply, and to be begging for freedom all within the confines of one lump of flesh is sometimes more than I can bear.
Perhaps the burden of soul, so large can be alleviated if we can come to see that having many passionate desires is not a bad thing, as many would have us believe, but rather, a blessing. I've decided that my goal is to live many mini lives within this large one. I think my thrashing soul is an opportunity to do just that. So rather that feeling insane for having so many things that you love, and for loving them all so deeply, we can take that deep love and apply it to living a fuller life. Fear not, colossal souls of the universe: There's a place for you. There's a place for us all.
Nothing but love,
Lo
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Dating Food For Thought
I've realized recently that if you love people enough, and are open enough, you can have a romantic relationship with almost anyone. It doesn't mean you should, though, and it also doesn't meant that, that person is your best match. Be sure to decipher the difference between a person who you have warm feelings toward as a human being, and someone who you have an authentic spark with. This is something to keep in mind as you go about your days in search of a proper mate. I need to remember this, also. Loving people is great, but you have to possess the wherewithal to know the difference between a general love of humanity and that extra punch that a genuine connection packs. Hit me baby one more time.
Blessings,
Lo
Blessings,
Lo
Monday, February 11, 2013
62 Years of Love
My Grandparents were married for 62 years before my Grandpa passed away this past January. I wanted to share a note from my Grandma to my Grandpa on his 70th Birthday. This small bit of writing alone gives me faith that the love we have all dreamed of exits in the world. Read up for inspiration:
Dear Larry My One & Only,
When I met you, I had no idea how much my life was about to be change, but then, how could I have known, a love like ours happens only once in a lifetime. You are a miracle to me, the one I had ever dreamed of, the one I thought only existed in my imagination and when you came into my life, I realized that what I had always thought was happiness, couldn’t compare to the joy loving you brought me. The love we shared has brought us five wonderful children and five beautiful grandchildren* You are a part of everything I think, do and feel and with you by my side I believe that anything is possible.
This birthday gives me a chance to thank you for the miracle of you. You are & always will be the love of my life forever.
Happy Birthday with all my love,
Elida
*Shout out to Robert Jr who came into the picture round 06 to make it six beautiful Grandchildren
Happy Birthday with all my love,
Elida
*Shout out to Robert Jr who came into the picture round 06 to make it six beautiful Grandchildren
And now one from Grandpa-->
From Your Sweetheart Larry
TO ELIDA THE LOVE OF MY LIFE, ON HER 70TH BIRTHDAY
MAY YOU HAVE INFINITELY MORE YEARS TO COME.
You always have given yourself to your family & others. Your love, understanding, time, labor, making drapes, shears, curtains, etc. Baby sitting your Grand children doing for your Family and Other's. We all love You.
I remember the first time I set eyes on you at Harry & Almas where Joe was playing at the time. You came in with Santa & Co. I was with someone else at the time. I was mesmerized with your beauty. It was love at first sight. I knew then I would marry you if you would have me. Proof of that was that I proposed on our second or third date. I always thought love at first sight, was a lot of bull, but believe me, it wasn't.
I might have been the bull, but you were the
Matador. You put the Sword in my heart for life. They used to Call me
the Sicilian Sword, when I was young, but my northern Italian Beauty got
my heart forever. You have given me 5 Wonderful Children and five (6
now) Beautiful GrandChildren. You have given me 46 years of love,
encouragement, friendship, companionship.
You truly are my Love, Best Friend, my Ginger Rogers Dance Partner.
I would be lost without you. I hope and pray that we can dance the Lindy together till we are 100+ years old. I love you with all my heart. P.S. Even when you get after me for my T.V.'s, Pitney Bowes/Insurance supplies and 28 File Cabinets and my procrastination.
I would be lost without you. I hope and pray that we can dance the Lindy together till we are 100+ years old. I love you with all my heart. P.S. Even when you get after me for my T.V.'s, Pitney Bowes/Insurance supplies and 28 File Cabinets and my procrastination.
Love,
Lar The Sicilian Sword :=)
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